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Offense

With the exception of a third-quarter lull, QB Alex Smith was as sharp as he has looked all season, making quick decisions and effectively tucking the ball and running when necessary. His 85.7 QB rating was a bit deceiving. Take away his interception – a perfect pass that clanked off Ted Ginn – and it would have been 99.6. Kendall Hunter (six carries, 40 yards, TD) again provided a spark off the bench, and Vernon Davis re-emerged with his first TD since Oct. 9. The negative: The Niners had to settle for FGs each of the first three times they ventured inside the New York 30-yard line.

Defense

Linebacker Patrick Willis’ greatness was again on display on the Giants‘ final drive when he knifed in to dump Brandon Jacobs for a 4-yard loss and took down Eli Manning in the open field a play later. Justin Smith and Willis (11 tackles) helped limit New York to 3.2 yards per carry on 29 rushes, and Carlos Rogers had the first two-interception game of his career. The Niners’ secondary was victimized by Manning (311 yards), who had completions of 36 and 32 yards and just missed a potential game-tying 42-yarder to Mario Manningham on New York’s final drive.

Special Teams

It won’t happen, of course, but there is a precedent for a kicker to be named the NFL’s MVP (Washington’s Mark Moseley, 1982). We bring up this point in light of the season David Akers is enjoying. Akers made 4 of 4 field-goal attempts, had four touchbacks on six kickoffs, converted an onside kick and, just for kicks, added a helmet-rattling tackle of New York’s Da’Rel Scott on a kickoff return. Akers was so good he made a 52-yarder despite slipping slightly before contact.

Coaching

The 49ers correctly surmised the Giants would load up against the run and went to the air, clear evidence the staff isn’t dogmatic when it comes to its offensive game-planning. Special-teams coordinator Brad Seely saw the Giants were susceptible to an onside kick and, sure enough, they were. The Akers-to-Walker onside kick was almost too easy.

OVERALL

Who else does this team need to beat to confirm its legitimacy? Noooobody. The Giants had a 6-2 record and were playing at nearly full strength for the first time this season. A week after Manning beat the Pats, he found S.F. to be a tougher fourth-quarter test.